U.S. Cleantech Trade & Investment Mission

NEW! “How to Sell U.S. Clean Technologies in Europe – US Cleantech Mission and Pollutec Trade Fair” Webinar, August 26, 2010; 11:00 am EST

In Collaboration with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Lyon, France & Brussels, Belgium, November 29 – December 4, 2010

This mission, for the first time ever, brings together a mix of U.S. community delegates (representatives from U.S. states, counties, cities, towns, and regions) and companies within their regions. This collaboration will catalyze the process of connecting U.S. companies and communities with opportunities to increase exports and attract foreign direct investment (FDI), with a particular emphasis on advancing the green economy and creating jobs in the United States.

The France portion of the mission will take place in Lyon. Pollutec features the world's leading international exhibit for the environment and sustainable development markets, featuring 2,400 exhibitors and 75,000 trade visitors from 110 countries, all in search of comprehensive solutions to today’s environmental and economic challenges. With the help of U.S. Commercial Service, the show serves as an excellent venue for community delegates to arrange discussions with international firms looking to expand their businesses in the U.S. Meanwhile, Pollutec is also a powerful venue for U.S. companies looking to establish or expand overseas distribution, generate sales leads, evaluate competitors, and to work with U.S. Commercial Service trade specialists to identify potential buyers and partners.

Following Pollutec, U.S. companies and communities will travel to Brussels, Belgium.

This portion will include:

The French and Belgian cleantech and green energy markets are among the most dynamic in the world, and major development projects are planned in these sectors. Their strong ties to the U.S make them two of the world’s most promising markets for U.S. suppliers. To further facilitate export and investment opportunities to U.S. companies and communities in the French and Belgium cleantech and green energy sectors, senior Department of Commerce officials Karen Zens, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Operations (OIO) of the USFCS and Brian McGowan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, will lead the mission.

Where?

Lyon, France & Brussels, Belgium

Why?

France

With a GDP of $2.865 trillion, France is the world’s fifth-largest economy and ranks the second highest in trade volume for Western Europe. On average, over $1 billion dollars in commercial transactions take place between France and the U.S. every day. The U.S. is also the top destination for French investments worldwide with FDI inflow to the U.S. around $14 billion in 2008, supporting almost 520,000 jobs in the U.S.

Belgium

Located in the heart of Europe’s industrialized region, Belgium’s location is a perfect gateway to diverse and competitive buyers and exports to Europe. Within a radius of 300 miles, 140 million EU consumers (60% of Europe’s purchasing power) can be reached. Belgian FDI to the U.S. also supports 141,000 jobs in the U.S.

Pollutec

For four days, U.S. companies and community delegates will network with potential trading and investment partners in the cleantech sector. Pollutec has also named the U.S. as the Ecotechnology Country of Honor. Companies and communities will benefit from this special honor via personalized one-on-one matchmaking meetings with potential buyers and investors. They will also have access to events dedicated to U.S. environmental, sustainable and clean energy technologies, business development and public sector policies. An outstanding conference program will also run parallel including 320 seminars, presentations, and technical conferences by experts and associations. Reed Exhibitions is the show organizer for Pollutec. Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 440 events in 36 countries. In 2009 Reed brought together over six million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Reed is also one of U.S. Commercial Services’ Corporate Partners.

Invest in America

Invest in America, housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the federal effort to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Exports from U.S. affiliates of foreign companies exceeded $215.5 billion in 2007 (latest data available), representing 18.5 percent of total U.S. exports. This is a statistic that has steadily increased over time. In Lyon and Brussels, community delegates participating in this mission will have opportunities for outreach in attracting cleantech companies to their communities.

Belgium has also hosted two Department of Commerce Invest In America (IIA) events, and those events have had greater success over IIA events in any other country to date. The first IIA event from just a year and a half ago has produced investment successes in California, Indiana, Virginia and Florida. The past events have attracted participants from the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK, and we expect similarly broad participation in this portion of the mission as well.

Renewable Energy

Both France and Belgium have shown substantial growth in the area of renewable energy. France’s government has set new goals in terms of green energy and Belgium continues its current shifts in deregulation and liberalization. This drive towards clean energy by both countries provides prime opportunities for U.S. companies and cleantech regional innovation clusters to boost exports to France and Belgium.

Water Resources

As the European Union moves towards stronger regulations and increasing public awareness on pollution, the water sector is expected to grow at a stable rate and provide continued market opportunities in both France and Belgium.

Apply by

Community Delegates apply by August 15, 2010 (no later than 12 AM EST)
See Application Process and Check List

U.S. Companies apply by September 15, 2010 (no later than 12 AM EST)
See Application Process and Check List

Questions?

U.S. companies please contact Teresa Yung at (202) 482 – 5496 or Teresa.Yung@trade.gov
Community delegates please contact Bryan Borlik at (202) 482 – 3901 or Bryan.Borlik@eda.doc.gov